PSL-Manila takes on unbeaten Thais

MANILA, Philippines -  Rebisco PSL-Manila faces another uphill battle in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championships as it takes on unbeaten Supreme of Thailand today at the start of the classification phase in Ust-Kamenogrosk, Kazakhstan.

The Filipinas spikers hope to put the results of their group stage campaign, where they dropped all their three matches, behind and focus on the Thais in their 2 p.m. (4 p.m. Manila time) encounter.

“Let’s be motivated by those negative comments we get from people, let’s use it positively,” said national team coach Francis Vicente in reference to the criticisms they got in social media. 

“We will fight. Be positive and optimistic.”

Led by superstar middle blocker Pleumjit Thinkaow, Thailand swept Group A, beating host Altay, Taiwan Power and Sarmayeh Bank of Iran.

The team had a bull session after its 25-8, 25-10, 25-9 beating from Tianjin Bohai Bank of China Saturday where players voiced out their thoughts and feelings.

Vicente said the 14 members of the Rebisco PSL Manila were low in spirits during the Tianjin match but lauded how the squad – made up of Philippine Superliga stars – banded together.

Sponsored by Asics, Grand Sport and Turkish Airlines, the Rebisco spikers held practice Sunday morning although it was rest day for the tourney among the eight top clubs in the region.

Team captain Rachel Anne Daquis, Aby Maraño and Jovelyn Gonzaga also helped in giving pep talk to the members of the Rebisco club, most of them will form the national team vying in the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Seniors.